Dr. Beverly Smith Moore

I've just been blessed over my career. I've been in spaces that I never thought I would be in. I didn't get here by myself - I'm grateful for everyone who's contributed to me being here, especially the women who taught me and provided examples. My graduate professor, Dr. Fannie Cooley Richardson, was my mentor and really shaped my journey. Even the men contributed, but particularly the women who really provided an example have been instrumental. I've had a remarkable career with ups and downs, heartaches and knocks, but I'm in a reflective period right now of gratitude for everyone who's been part of my journey. At this stage, turning 55 and celebrating one year of marriage, I'm grateful for the women who provide nuggets of knowledge, encouragement, and guidance - even if it's just 'do this, don't do that, consider that.' That support has been absolutely wonderful, particularly as I focus on supporting other women and helping them navigate their own journeys.

The best advice came from my dean at Amherst, Dr. Martin, who told me about a month ago that I've had a remarkable career. That validation meant so much because I didn't know it was coming and I didn't see it while I was in it. But the advice that guides me now, which I share with my mentees, is to know when to hold them and when to fold them - like that Kenny Rogers song. You have to know when to speak up and when to hold back, especially in this political world we're in now. You need to know what spaces to say what you need to say, and whether you have the allies in that space to say it so that you move the agenda forward. You have to be able to read the room and know your allies so you can work together to advance the agenda. What one colleague can say and do in one space, I can't, and what I can say and do in one space, she can't. So being able to network, build allies, and know how to read the room and move forward is critical - not just for yourself, but for the profession. Sometimes you have to know when not to let your emotions take over, even when you see things that are not right or inappropriate or unfair. You have to know when the opportune time is to give voice to it, because speaking in every space and sounding off can actually hurt the cause and the agenda, or sabotage it by prematurely sharing the strategic plan.

Be true to yourself. Know when to hold them and when to fold them, like that Kenny Rogers song. You have to know when to hold them and fold them in this political world we're in now. You need to know when to say what you need to say, and do you have the allies in that space to say it so that you move the agenda forward. You have to move and operate according to your gifted area, what you're called to do, because what I'm called to do and stay in one space, you may not be able to do that. So you need to be able to read the room and know your allies so that you can work together to advance the agenda. What another colleague of mine can say and do in one space, I can't, and what I can say and do and move in one space, she can't. Being able to network and build allies is critical, and knowing how to read the room and how to move forward, not just for yourself, but for the profession. We're moving in a time where some things may revert back to where they used to be, where you see more male dominance. If we lose ground and footage, how do we regain it? How do we hold on in a safe place now as much as possible without losing? Sometimes you have to know how to read the room, what to say, when to hold, when not to hold, and when to hold and fold them, and not let your emotions take over. There may be some things that you see that are not right, that are inappropriate, and just not fair. But you have to know when to give voice to it, and know when is the opportune time to do it. That's critical, because you can't always speak in every space and sound off. You can actually hurt the cause and the agenda at that point, or you can sabotage it by sometimes speaking when the strategic plan is prematurely shared.

I think the biggest challenge we'll face - and younger people and people in the profession will face this too - is this tug of war that will probably exist within the umbrella of the whole helping profession, from psychology to social workers and all of us, including nurse practitioners with psychiatric or mental health specializations. The challenge is how do we work together to provide service, and how do we all operate out of what we're gifted to do, trained to do, and have received supervision to do. What are we doing adequately and what are we doing well to help with the mental health crisis that's out here, to help people heal. It can't just be about money. We all have to get paid, but at the same time, are you trained to do what you're doing, are you doing it well, or are you in the space you need to be in, or do you need to shift? I think sometimes everyone's equipped and licensed to be in their space, but some may bite off more than what they are probably skilled to do. For those who are heavily trained in providing medication and medication management, they probably need to serve in that space, whereas if the talk therapy and the psychotherapy piece is not your trained expertise, we need to make sure that we refer out to the appropriate individuals so that we're meeting the needs of our clients and our patients. Another challenge is that we're moving in a time where some things may revert back to where they used to be, where you see more male dominance. If we lose ground and footage as women in leadership, how do we regain it? How do we hold on in a safe place now as much as possible without losing ground?

Giving authentic voice to women's experiences is absolutely central to who I am and what I do. I'm passionate about helping women give voice to their experience unapologetically - not just similar experiences, but honoring that everybody's unique in how they cope and maneuver based on their past life experiences and family of origin. Volunteerism and giving back to the community is really important to me - I mention it because I'm really big on public service and volunteerism. I believe in providing care and support to those who need it, desire it, and deserve it, even when they can't afford big corporate services. I try to do some type of give back through my practice. Integrity in my work is crucial - I make sure I have the proper certifications and credentials not just because my LPC license covers a lot, but because I need to be clear about what I'm doing and that I've met the standards to provide the services I offer. It's not from a mom-and-pop shop - I get my credentials from premier organizations in the nation. Self-care is also important to me now at this stage of my life. I'm intentional about re-energizing and carving out work time and self-care time along with family time. I'm in a reflective period of gratitude, celebrating my upcoming 55th birthday, one year of marriage, and retirement from some spaces to focus totally on my private practice. I believe the best part of my career is still to come, and I'm excited about that.